Student Complaints

The University of Dallas is committed to treating all students fairly and respectfully.
The University's policies that apply to students are published annually in the UD
Bulletin and in the UD Student Handbook. These publications are available on-line
on the UD website. In an instance of perceived violation of a University policy, a student may file
a complaint. This policy provides two avenues for pursuing a complaint: an Informal
Resolution Procedure and a Formal Resolution Procedure. Students may utilize either
or both procedures.

Informal Resolution Procedure

The student arranges a meeting with the person involved with the complaint and/or
with the direct supervisor of the person involved. For example, a student who perceives
that he or she has been graded unfairly on an assignment should meet with the faculty
member who assigned the grade. In this example, the meeting with the faculty member
may be followed up with a meeting with the department chair or the original meeting
might be with the department chair. Another example would be a complaint in the Business
Office involving the Bursar. The student would meet with the Bursar and/or the Director
of Finance.

If the informal process does not resolve the complaint, the student may utilize the
formal complaint procedure.

Formal Resolution Procedure

A formal complaint is in writing and sets forth a statement of the issue, the University
policy or procedures violated, and the specific remedy sought.

The complaint is normally submitted using an on-line form found on the UD website on the Student Complaints page. The complaint can also be
submitted on paper to the appropriate office:

Academic complaints to the appropriate academic dean

Student Life complaints to the Dean of Students

Business Office complaints to the Director of Finance

Financial Aid complaints to the Dean of Enrollment

Registrar Office complaints to the Registrar

Unlawful Discrimination and Harassment to the Title IX Coordinator

A complaint against a Dean, Director, Vice-President, etc., is submitted to the direct
supervisor, such as the Provost or President

A complaint against the President to the Chair of the Board of Trustees

Other complaints to the Director of Human Resources

Level 1

Absent extraordinary circumstances, the person, normally a Dean or Director, to whom
the complaint has been submitted conducts, within seven (7) business days of receiving
the complaint, a formal conference with the student, permitting her or him to provide
any necessary relevant information. The Dean or Director confers with the other person
or persons involved and conducts an additional investigation as he or she deems necessary.
Absent extraordinary circumstances, a written recommendation is sent within seven
(7) business days of the first formal conference. The recommendation is sent to the
student and the other involved person or persons. The written recommendation states
the background information, the rationale for the recommendation, and the recommended
remedy, if any. Copies of the original complaint and the written recommendation are
kept in the Dean or Director's Office for a minimum of five years.

Level 2

If the complaint is not resolved in level 1, the student or one of the other involved
parties may, with fourteen (14) business days of receipt of the level 1 recommendation,
appeal to the direct supervisor of the person who wrote the recommendation. Absent
extraordinary circumstances, the supervisor holds a hearing within fourteen (14) business
days of receipt of the appeal or complaint. Absent extraordinary circumstances, a
written recommendation is sent to the student and others within fourteen (14) business
days of such hearing. In cases of appeals to level 2, copies of the original complaint
and the level 1 and 2 written recommendations are kept in the supervisor's office
for a minimum of five years.

Level 3

Except in the case of a complaint against the President, where the Board of Trustees
has final authority, appeals of the level 2 recommendation are submitted to the President
within fourteen (14) business days. The President makes the final decision. Absent
extraordinary circumstances, the President's written decision is sent to the student
and other parties within fourteen (14) business days of receiving the level 3 appeal.
In cases of appeals to level 3, copies of the original complaint, the previous written
recommendations, and the final decision are kept in the President's Office for a minimum
of five years.